Stoke City Football Club News

• Nickname:Potters
• Founded:1863
• Manager:Tony Pulis

• Ground:Britannia Stadium
• Capacity:28,218

Beattie ready to boost Stoke

17 Apr 2009 - 11:40:00

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Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is confident that James Beattie will be fit to face former club Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Beattie had to be replaced during the second half of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, having been cut by a flying elbow from Sebastien Bassong earlier in the game.

But Pulis believes Beattie, who has scored six goals in 11 games for the Potters since his £3.5million arrival from Sheffield United in January, will be available to face his first club at the Britannia Stadium.

"We've gone a bit steady because of the cut," he admitted.

"But it's settled down and looks much better. He should be raring to go, particularly against his old club."

Meanwhile, Pulis claims he and his players thrive on the negativity of critics who have written off the 13th-placed Potters at various times this season.

He added: "I heard somebody the other day say we shouldn't be in the Premier League and that's music to my ears.

"That's a great motivational factor, not just to myself and the players, but also to the people of Stoke-on-Trent.

"That's what's brought us together as a group and will hopefully keep us together over these last three home games to make sure we get over the finishing line."